Flexible working is a common occurrence in workplaces in the UK now, with many employees job-sharing, working from home, working flexible hours and more.
This seems likely to become even more common, following the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Bill receiving Royal Assent on 20 July 2023. The Act sets out key changes to the way the law governing Flexible Working Requests operates.
It is important to note, that whilst the Bill has received Royal Assent, section 1, and the accompanying secondary legislation, is not expected to come into force for another year yet, to allow employers time to prepare.
Below, we set out the key changes this law is making, as well as a few basics about flexible working requests for those new to the area.
What are flexible working requests?
A flexible working request is a request that an employee can make to their employer, provided they meet the minimum statutory requirements, to ask for changes to their working patterns. This might be different hours, work from home, job-share, or other adjustments.
So what are the changes?
- Employees will be able to make two flexible working requests in any 12-month period, instead of one.
- When making the request, employees will no longer have to explain the affect the request will have on the business.
- Employers will have two months to respond instead of three.
- Employers will also not be permitted to refuse a request unless they have first consulted with the employee.
